Under the Lights: Joy Athletic (NPSL / WPSL)

February 13, 2023 by Joshua Duder

“What if you could develop high performance players without the doctrine of selection, extensive travel, competition and coaching? These were the questions we asked ourselves, a group of friends, Victor Kasanezky, Ted Kroeten, Glenn Kroeten, Jason Buxell, Raffi Tanachian and Haris Handijza, long time players and coaches who witnessed first hand the escalation of pressures on kids due to pay to play and vowed to do something about it. We felt kids did not play enough and this left them underprepared for what lay ahead.”

Player Profile: Elijah Amo

February 09, 2023 by Dan Vaughn

When he signed with South Georgia Tormenta over the offseason, we knew we need to chat with Elijah Amo. The standout from Maryland crushed the competition in NISA, playing for the Bobcats, and now will face USL League One.

by Protagonist Staff

WPSL Announces the WPSL PRO, Targets 2025 as Inaugural Year

February 08, 2023 by Elisabeth Schendel

Today, the WPSL announced it will launch a third tier professional league, with 2025 being targeted as the tentative inaugural year.

by Protagonist Soccer Staff

UPSL National Finals Weekend : Olympians FC are Champions

February 07, 2023 by Joshua Duder

UPSL finally wrapped up 2022 with their National Finals weekend in California where four titans of the league met in battle. The Olympians appeased the soccer gods and went home victorious but it wasn’t an easy path to glory.

by Ryan Stallings & Josh Duder

MLS Season Pass Impacting Independents

February 07, 2023 by Dan Vaughn

On Wednesday, February 1, the soccer broadcasting landscape shifted monumentally as Major League Soccer launched its “Season Pass” program. MLS Next Pro, the third division hybrid reserve league launched last year, will also be moving to the service. For fans of independent clubs, they’ll need to pay-in, at full price, if they want to watch.
by Michael Battista

Top Tops 2023: Tulsa Athletic USOC Kit

February 06, 2023 by Dan Vaughn

Today, Tulsa Athletic revealed its newest soccer kit, designed specifically to be worn in the upcoming Round One of the 2023 US Open Cup. Sonny Dalesandro, co-owner of Tulsa Athletic, discussed the concept and purpose of the “Past, Present, Future” kit with Protagonist.

by Dan Vaughn

Under the Lights: Oakland Soul (USL W)

February 06, 2023 by Joshua Duder

“Community members spoke of creating a brand that thrived on unity through the power of unique individuals. Powerful, strong, beautiful, independent, resilient were all words used to describe what the community wanted this team to represent. This led to the creation of the crest. The colors are aligned with the family of identities we have at this club, with Oakland Roots and Project 51O and felt like an organic fit with the family of logos we already have. “

NISA Releases Openers

February 03, 2023 by Dan Vaughn

With the season nearing rapidly, NISA releases the opening matches, beginning March 1st.

By Dan Creel

The Landscape: Women's Soccer in New Jersey

February 02, 2023 by Elisabeth Schendel

Our next feature covers New Jersey, a state that usually is overlooked in favor of its neighbor, New York. But both states are so characteristically different in terms of culture and infrastructure that it’s a bit careless to compare the two, especially considering New Jersey’s long history in developing top soccer talent.

by Elisabeth Schendel

UPSL National Finals Weekend Preview

February 02, 2023 by Joshua Duder

The UPSL National Finals Weekend is upon us - four of the nation’s best amateur soccer teams square off to decide the Autumn/Winter champion of the league for 2022. Protagonist takes a quick look at all four, providing a recap of the playoffs so far and who might be impactful heading into the final stanza.

by Josh Duder